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If there's one thing that many drivers dread, it is having to deal with a dead car battery (and seeing the notorious warning light on their dash). This warning light is usually red, indicating something is wrong with your electrical system. Read on to find out the reasons why this light may come on.
Common reasons why the battery light may come on:
The vehicle battery is drained or weak.
The battery cables are loose.
Your battery is leaking acid, and there is too much corrosion on the battery terminals.
The alternator is not properly charging the battery.
The battery is suffering from manufacturer defects.
Car batteries can be complex and unpredictable, especially if you don't regularly test them. One of your electrical system components may slowly start to die off. You may experience a slow-to-start engine, dimming headlights, and malfunctioning electrical accessories. Most of the time, people weaken their battery by accidentally leaving their headlights on or leaving their car on without the engine running for a long period of time. These bad habits can shorten your battery's lifespan; otherwise, a car battery should last up to 5 years.
Can I Continue Driving?
In summary, the car battery light simply indicates that the battery is weak and needs to be charged or replaced altogether. While it is relatively safe for you to drive your vehicle (if you can get it to start) with the light on, it won't guarantee that your car won't break down. Furthermore, further strain on your battery can weaken other components like the alternator. Therefore, driving with the car battery light is not recommended, especially if you don't have jumper cables on hand.
If you suspect that your battery is going weak, we invite you to Pete's Auto Service for a battery test. Our technicians can charge or replace your car battery if needed so that you can drive confidently in Charlotte, NC.